Bishop John's Christmas Message 2017

As I look down from my office and see everyone rushing about in the town below it is lovely to sit still, I am glad of the opportunity every year to offer some ideas to lead you into the true joy of this season.

Looking back on our lives how often we regret having lost things we held dear just because we took them too much for granted. We got distracted by the glitter and tinsel of life, took our eye off the ball and stopped noticing the really valuable things of life that soon slipped through our fingers; like family, friendships and loves, or our faith, prayers and devotions.

Watching Mary in the manger at Bethlehem we learn the true wisdom of simply being an observer. While the angels busy themselves in their choirs and the shepherds gather up their sheep and the wise men occupy themselves with their gifts we hear how Mary simply treasures and ponders these things in her heart.

I wish you time to celebrate Christmas, but my real hope is that you find enough space to observe the true mystery of the Incarnation and the birth of Our Lord and Messiah, watching over the glad and gracious events of Christmas so as to guard them in your heart and prayer, just as Mary, amid all the madness, heeded and looked only to her delicate, wondrous child.